India skipper joins Sporting Lisbon

05 July 2012 11:47

India captain Sunil Chhetri has signed for Sporting Lisbon and will play with the B team for two seasons, the Portuguese football club confirmed on Thursday.

The signing is part of an agreement with Indian football authorities to develop the game.

"With our experience in scouting and the development of high level players we are ready through a set of local partnerships to find the best solutions to accelerate the development of football in India," Sporting said in a statement.

The statement described the 27-year-old striker as "an idol in his country", adding: "He will symbolise the dreams of all the young people who have ambition to play in Europe."

Sports daily Record said the agreement was part of the club's commercial strategy.

"The B team's matches will be broadcast in India . and it is possible that the main team's games will also be broadcast, in India and China," the newspaper reported.

Sporting already have partnerships with teams in Saudi Arabia, Angola, China and the United States.